Psychology can be defined as “the scientific study of behaviour and the mind” (Holt,N.,Bremner,A.,Sutherland,E.,Vliek,M.,Passer,M.&Smith,R. 2012, p.4) It examines things such as emotions and thoughts with the view to understanding causes of human behaviour and to influence such. Professor of psychology in Harvard University William James (1890, p.1) remarked that psychology is “the science of mental life” Two perspectives on psychology are the psychodynamic approach and behaviourism, each of which will be discussed in this essay.
The psychodynamic approach was developed by Sigmund Freud who believed behaviour is influenced by conscious and unconscious parts of personality such as the id, (which functions at an unconscious level), the ego …show more content…
Something which was highly criticised by neo-analytic theorists was that Freud under-estimated the influence of social and cultural factors, and that he gave too much importance to childhood experiences. ( Kurzweil, 1989, cited in hotlet.al 2012 p. 568)
Freud’s theory cannot be labelled scientific, as a scientific approach is one that is observable, testable and one that provides evidence. It’s hard to apply science to unconscious thinking. One cannot observe the inner mind of any other being, one can only presume certain things about it. Freud was against the idea of laboratory research being carried out on his theory (Holt et.al 2012). Therefore no scientific approach can be associated with psychodynamics.
Conversely, behaviourism practiced by both John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner can be viewed as scientific as they carried out observations and experiments to see how the external environment and learning experiences shape …show more content…
This study failed to abide by ethical practises one should follow such as “It is the duty of the physician to promote and safeguard the health, well-being and rights of patient” (Declaration of Helsinki 1966 cited on http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1966.03110110016005)
Skinner studied operant conditioning in rats and pigeons using reward and punishment, and discovered the law of acquisition which states that a learnt operant behaviour increases following reward (Skinner 1953). He concluded that positive reinforcement was the best way to learn or modify
The psychodynamic approach was developed by Sigmund Freud who believed behaviour is influenced by conscious and unconscious parts of personality such as the id, (which functions at an unconscious level), the ego …show more content…
Something which was highly criticised by neo-analytic theorists was that Freud under-estimated the influence of social and cultural factors, and that he gave too much importance to childhood experiences. ( Kurzweil, 1989, cited in hotlet.al 2012 p. 568)
Freud’s theory cannot be labelled scientific, as a scientific approach is one that is observable, testable and one that provides evidence. It’s hard to apply science to unconscious thinking. One cannot observe the inner mind of any other being, one can only presume certain things about it. Freud was against the idea of laboratory research being carried out on his theory (Holt et.al 2012). Therefore no scientific approach can be associated with psychodynamics.
Conversely, behaviourism practiced by both John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner can be viewed as scientific as they carried out observations and experiments to see how the external environment and learning experiences shape …show more content…
This study failed to abide by ethical practises one should follow such as “It is the duty of the physician to promote and safeguard the health, well-being and rights of patient” (Declaration of Helsinki 1966 cited on http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1966.03110110016005)
Skinner studied operant conditioning in rats and pigeons using reward and punishment, and discovered the law of acquisition which states that a learnt operant behaviour increases following reward (Skinner 1953). He concluded that positive reinforcement was the best way to learn or modify